Art by Homeless, At-Risk Youth and Young Adults

by Jess Barlass

The sixth Unsheltered art show is going to take place on September 30th in Hollywood. We sat down with A Million Drops founder Maike Both to learn more about the idea behind it.

AMD: “We created Unsheltered in 2015 to provide a platform for talented young artists who happen to be homeless. The exhibition received such positive feedback from both, the artists as well as the audience, that we decided to make it a regular part of AMD’s programs. Since then, we have organized five shows: at a gallery, a restaurant, open air events and even a laundromat. In July, we began to look for the next location, a place with an ambiance that was unexpected and different from the ordinary and ideally have its own audience.” And then, a wonderful discovery. At an event, Maike met Robert Ramos, Emmy nominated hair stylist, and c0-owner of prestigious celebrity hair salon Ramos Carreon. Maike approached him and his business partner, Philip Carreon, with the idea of hosting an art show at their salon. Both were immediately excited, and the vision came together quickly.

One of the young artists whose work will be part of the upcoming show is Neil Massey, who has participated in Unsheltered since its conception in 2015. Earlier this year, AMD was able to sell several of his raw, powerful pieces to a Hollywood prop house, and they are now featured on the set of the 2017 movie, Home Again, as well as in seven nation-wide commercials. “We are thrilled to be able to help these talented young people get the exposure they deserve,” says Maike Both.

The upcoming show includes works by ten artists, many of whom have been on board since 2015. “We’re like a little family, we stay in touch and try to give support in any way we can. ”

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes info for AMD’s events and programs, please stay tuned to the website.